Study on the effect of sport on the body's stress response

Sandra Klaperski et al.

December 2014

Anti-Stress & Burnout

Fit & Active

Sandra Klaperski and Reinhard Fuchs from the University of Freiburg investigated the effectiveness of a sports and relaxation program on the stress response.

For this purpose, the sample of 149 healthy, inactive male test subjects was randomly divided into three groups, each of which practiced endurance sports for a period of twelve weeks, underwent relaxation or was part of the control group.

At the beginning and after the end of the study, factors of the physiological stress response (cortisol, heart rate and heart rate variability), subjective stress reactivity and physical fitness were measured.

The results showed that cortisol concentration and heart rate were reduced in the sports group , while heart rate variability increased. A decrease in subjective stress reactivity was also recorded.

The study thus proved that a twelve-week sports program had a positive effect on the body's stress response.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Stress
Institution: Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Germany
Title: Study on the effect of sport on the body's stress response
Brief description: A study shows that a 12-week sports program reduces the body's stress response and improves well-being.
Original title: Effects of a 12-week endurance training program on the physiological response to psychosocial stress in men: a randomized controlled trial
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24659155/